Monthly Archives: February 2013

Evan has been hard at work this past week putting together the SketchUp model of our team’s initial “optimal design”. We chose to illustrate our design using Google SketchUp, creating a very visually appealing, and scale accurate, model.

Our design encorporates a three-teir system, with a wheelchair accessible ground level, and two raised upper levels. Retaining walls will not exceed more than 4 feet in height, so as to eliminate the need to hire a Structural Engineer. Each level is approximately 9 feet deep, with slope distances stretching about 6.5 feet between each level.

As illustrated by the textures seen in the model, the first set of retaining walls will be made of gabion blocks. This provides extra slope stabalization.

The two upper level retaining walls have been designed with wooden supports. Each level features 3 feet of planter boxes on either side of a 3 foot pathway.

The concrete stairs seen at the side of the slope are pre-existing, but, as the levels are built up, a wooden stairway will be built to provide safe access to the upper tiers.

Overall, our garden could encorporate upwards of 30 plots. Levels could be built on a need-basis, with upper teirs being added as the demand for plots – or the gathered funds necessary to finanace their construction – increases.

The garden has been designed to be functional, accessible, cost efficient, sustainable, and easily maintained. Utilities needed to maintain the garden – such as a water supply – can be tapped from the neighboring building (whose outer wall can be seen on the right hand side of the above picture), and tools can be stored either under planter boxes or in a seperate storage space.

Larger versions of the pictures seen in this post can be found here:

(http://www.flickr.com/photos/93598295@N03/sets/72157632881870573/)

Up to this point, our research has been largely based in indpendent internet research and professional opinion. Over the past several weeks, we have been researching community gardens in the Vancouver area, looking at common materials used, average material costs, and options for construction strategies.

We have been in contact with Nate Begin, M. Land Arch, B. Land Hort, owner of Pure Landscapes. Pure Landscapes is an award-winning Vancouver-based Landscape Construction company (www.purelandscapes.ca). Mr. Begin has taken a look at the pictures we provided of the potential garden site, and given us estimates on what types of materials would be best suited for our situation and what their approximate costs would be for the given site paramaters, as well as explained which types of construction would warrant the need for further engineering investigation.

We have also been in contact with Jeremy Miller, principal landscaper and owner of Houston Landscapes. One of the most reputable Vancouver-based landscaping companies, Houston Landscaping (www.houstonlandscapes.ca) provides both residential and commercial landscaping services. Mr. Miller has also given us his opinion on what our best choice for materials, complete with cost estimates, would be for our given site.

And finally, Grant Cameron of Beaver Landscape Ltd. has offered to meet with us and answer any of our questions in a question-and-answer period. (http://www.beaverlandscape.com/)

We are currently attempting to communicate with various on-campus groups, such as the Student Union and Sustainable Food Club. In addition, the manager of the neighboring co-op has agreed to speak with us regarding their community garden.

A basic Google SketchUp model has also been created using the site drawings provided by VCC, and meetings have been scheduled with a Landscape Architecture student at the University of British Columbia to discuss viable design options. (http://www.flickr.com/photos/93598295@N03/sets/72157632871312700/)

A cost estimate, based on unit price estimates, and a construction timeline is already underway, and will be altered as more design elements and options become clear.

Over the next few weeks, as we begin to assemble our final report, we will be cross-referencing all the material we have gathered regarding cost and materials with interest and potential use to determine a final statement on the projects feasbility.

On February 13, 2013, Bahareh journeyed to VCC’s Broadway Campus to adminster a semi-spoken survey in order to assess the level of interest amoungst VCC students regarding an on-campus community garden. Due to lack of interest in answering the survey itself, fewer surveys were adminstered than originally expected. An adequate sample size was still acheived, however, with 28 people participating overall.

Of the people who were surveyed, it was found that staff were generally much more interested in, and supportive of, the idea. And although many of the students who agreed to respond to the survey were supportive of the idea, some rejected the proposal.

In our final report, we will address the data found more in-depth, and use the information to help create a final verdict regarding overall project feasability on the basis of public interest.

A copy of the survey questions can be found on the “Survey” page. The results of the survey will be released in more detail on this page soon.

A copy of the Terms of Reference submitted to the Client can be found on the page “Terms of Reference”.